Upon finally obtaining the Black Materia, AVALANCHE has little time to celebrate their victory. When the party exits the Temple of the Ancients, Sephiroth arrives to collect his prize. Although no one would think to voluntarily give it to the man, they are shocked when Cloud begins to struggle, gradually making his way towards the madman and eventually handing over the catalytic (not to mention catastrophic) Black Materia. If that were not enough, Sephiroth suddenly disappears, consequently pushing Cloud over the edge. Almost simultaneous with Sephiroth's departure, is Cloud's sudden lapse into insanity: he punches Aeris, sends the small woman flying, and follows for more when the violence offers no answers or comfort. As AVALANCHE panics, the mental and physical strife of the day finally takes its toll, and Cloud's world goes white as he slips into unconsciousness.
As he sleeps, Cloud is visited by a vision of Aeris that assures him that the events of the previous day were hardly his fault, and are completely forgivable on his account. However, the terrible being controlling Cloud has to be brought to justice, and she alone is able to do it. Promising to return when the it's "all over", Aeris sets off on her own to find the ancient city of her ancestors and pray for the Planet's last hope: Holy.
Meanwhile, AVALANCHE waits anxiously for their leader to awaken. They are still unnerved by his behavior and more than a little concerned about Aeris' mysterious disappearance, but they are powerless to continue until they are able to regroup. Once Cloud regains consciousness, the team is immediately back on its collective feet and ready to find Aeris at all costs.
Their search leads them to Bone Village where the entrance to a slumbering forest is found. Beyond the uninviting woods is the City of the Ancients and ultimately Aeris. After obtaining a mystical item that awakens the forest, AVALANCHE wastes no time to find their missing friend.
After wandering around the deserted city, Cloud's party finds the object of their search kneeling in prayer at an ancient alter; the alter is the centerpiece of the dome-shaped room filled with water, a few well placed steps being the only means to reach it. Cloud walks towards her, signaling for his companions to stay back as he advances. Once he comes to the alter, he shocks everyone by drawing his sword and rising it above his head, preparing to bring it down on Aeris. The shouts of AVALANCHE jolt him from his trance, and he steps back in horror, trying to come to terms with what he has almost done. Aeris opens her eyes for the first time, seemingly unfazed by what has just occurred, and smiles.
Before anyone in the room can react, Sephiroth leaps from his hiding place in the shadows and runs her through in one felled swoop. Cloud catches the body as it falls to the ground, though he is unable to believe that the woman they had traveled with and fought alongside was now dead in his arms ("What about my pain? My fingers are tingling. My mouth is dry. My eyes are burning!"). Sephiroth watches with sick curiosity before finally asking a question that (no doubt) plagues Cloud for the next leg of his journey.
Sephiroth: What are you saying? Are you trying to tell me you have feelings too?
Triumphant, Sephiroth exits the tragic scene, leaving a Jenova monster in his wake. After its quick defeat, Cloud once again gathers Aeris in his arms and descends the steps to the tranquil lake below. He gently lowers the body into the water before stepping away carefully as to not disturb the calm more than necessary. With this action, AVALANCHE -- predominately Cloud -- resolve to finish what the flower girl began, and are more determined to bring Sephiroth down than ever before.
Source: Final Fantasy VII
